[Marxism] Tyrant Blair gets a make-over...

["David Quarter" <davidquarter@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040519/ap_on_r
e_eu/britain_commons_disruption




Protester Throws Powder at Tony Blair

Wed May 19, 8:47 AM ET

By ED JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer

LONDON - A protester hit British Prime Minister Tony Blair (news -
web sites) with a purple powder in the House of Commons on
Wednesday, forcing lawmakers to suspend proceedings and
evacuate.


AP Photo



House authorities said the powder was "benign" ? colored corn
starch ? and lawmakers resumed their session shortly afterward.


Blair was not injured but the incident was a major security breach
in Parliament, which recently put up a bulletproof screen to protect
members from possible attacks from the public gallery.


London's Metropolitan Police said two men were arrested but were






not immediately charged. Fathers 4 Justice, a group which
campaigns on child custody issues, claimed responsibility.


A man in a suit stood up in the public gallery and was heard to
shout "do you realize" and "five years." Blair visibly flinched as he
was hit by the powder.


Speaker Michael Martin immediately suspended the weekly
session of prime minister's questions. A purplish haze was seen in
the chamber as members evacuated.


Blair's office said the prime minister was fine.


"He is OK. He walked out," a spokeswoman said on condition of
anonymity.


The suspect and an apparent accomplice were grabbed by security
officers, and Martin immediately suspended the session.


The man who threw the power was standing in a part of the gallery
reserved for guests of members of the House of Lords and the
House of Commons. The ordinary public is behind a security
screen to prevent such disruptions.


The second man was seen holding up a sheet of letter size paper,
but it was unclear what message was on it.


Fathers 4 Justice campaigns on behalf of fathers denied access to
their children and has drawn attention to the issue with a series of
high-profile stunts.


One member, David Chick, dressed as Spiderman and climbed
atop a crane beside London's Tower Bridge in November, forcing
police to close the busy traffic route and leading to huge traffic
jams.


Four members of the group ? dressed as Spiderman, Superman,
Batman and Robin ? also climbed Bristol's Clifton Suspension
Bridge in February, leading to its closure.


There has been a public focus on security at the Houses of
Parliament since two anti-Iraq (news - web sites) war protesters
scaled the tower housing the Big Ben bell, part of the legislative
complex, in March.


Peter Hain, the leader of the House of Commons, said last month
that British intelligence had clear information about a danger to
Parliament. He warned lawmakers that terrorists could attack the
chamber with germs or deadly gas.









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